If your skin can’t seem to make up its mind—oily in some places, dry in others—you’re dealing with combination skin.
And in your 30s? It’s even trickier. Your T-zone might still be shiny by noon, while your cheeks are suddenly dry and tight. Maybe you’re also starting to see fine lines, occasional breakouts, or dullness (fun, right?).
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The key to managing combination skin in your 30s? Balance. You need a routine that hydrates dry areas, controls oil, and keeps your skin healthy, smooth, and radiant—without overdoing it.
This step-by-step guide will give you the perfect skincare routine for combination skin, plus the best products to keep your skin happy.
Let’s get into it!
Morning Skincare Routine: Hydrate & Protect
Your AM routine should focus on keeping skin balanced, hydrated, and protected from environmental stressors.
Step 1: Gentle Gel-Based Cleanser (No Harsh Sulfates!)
A gel or foam cleanser works best for combination skin—it removes oil from your T-zone without drying out the rest of your face.
🔹 Best overall: CeraVe Foaming Facial Cleanser – Removes excess oil while keeping skin hydrated.
🔹 Best for breakouts & large pores: Paula’s Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser – Contains salicylic acid to prevent clogged pores.
🔹 Best for dry + oily patches: Youth to the People Superfood Cleanser – Packed with antioxidants to nourish skin while cleansing.
👉 Pro Tip: If your skin feels tight after washing, your cleanser is too harsh—switch to something gentler!
Step 2: Hydrating Toner (Skip the Alcohol!)
A hydrating toner adds moisture to dry areas while keeping oil production in check.
🔹 Best for balancing skin: Laneige Cream Skin Toner & Moisturizer – Super hydrating but lightweight.
🔹 Best for oil control: Klairs Supple Preparation Facial Toner – Soothes skin while preventing excess shine.
🔹 Best for minimizing pores: Naturium Niacinamide 3% Toner – Reduces shine and helps with uneven skin tone.
👉 Pro Tip: If your skin is extra oily, use a toner with niacinamide to help control shine!
Step 3: Lightweight Serum (Hydration Without the Grease)
A good serum should hydrate your skin without feeling heavy. Hyaluronic acid and niacinamide are the best options for combination skin!
🔹 Best for hydration: Vichy Mineral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Serum – Plumps and hydrates without making skin greasy.
🔹 Best for oily T-zone: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – Controls oil and brightens skin.
🔹 Best for anti-aging: Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum – Keeps skin smooth and hydrated all day.
Step 4: Lightweight Moisturizer (Gel-Based is Your Best Friend!)
Combination skin needs a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that hydrates dry patches without clogging pores.
🔹 Best for combo skin: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel – Hydrates without feeling greasy.
🔹 Best for sensitive combo skin: CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizer – Has niacinamide to control oil while soothing dry areas.
🔹 Best for shine control: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Mat Moisturizer – Keeps your T-zone matte all day!
Step 5: Sunscreen (Because You’ll Regret Skipping It!)
Sunscreen prevents wrinkles, dark spots, and sun damage—but for combination skin, you need something lightweight and non-greasy.
🔹 Best for combo skin: EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 – Lightweight, non-greasy, and great for acne-prone skin.
🔹 Best for matte finish: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin SPF 60 – Controls shine while protecting your skin.
🔹 Best for hydration + SPF: Supergoop! Glowscreen SPF 40 – Leaves skin dewy, not greasy.
Nighttime Skincare Routine: Repair & Balance
At night, your skin repairs itself, so your routine should focus on hydration, gentle exfoliation, and treatment.
Step 1: Double Cleanse (If You Wear Makeup or SPF)
If you wear makeup or sunscreen, start with an oil-based cleanser to dissolve everything.
🔹 Best for combo skin: DHC Deep Cleansing Oil – Removes makeup without stripping your skin.
Then, follow up with your morning cleanser to make sure your skin is squeaky clean!
Step 2: Exfoliate (2-3 Times a Week Only!)
Combination skin needs exfoliation, but overdoing it can cause dry patches and irritation. Stick to gentle exfoliants 2-3 times a week.
🔹 Best for blackheads & pores: Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant – Unclogs pores and smooths texture.
🔹 Best for gentle exfoliation: The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + HA – Hydrating but effective.
Step 3: Treatment (Retinol or Niacinamide)
At night, use a targeted treatment to prevent breakouts, fine lines, or dullness.
🔹 Best for anti-aging & acne: Differin Gel (Adapalene 0.1%) – A gentle retinoid for clearer, smoother skin.
🔹 Best for brightening & oil control: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% – Reduces oil and improves skin tone.
Step 4: Night Moisturizer (Hydration Without the Grease!)
🔹 Best lightweight option: Bioderma Hydrabio Gel-Crème – Balances oily and dry areas.
🔹 Best for anti-aging: CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream – Hydrating with peptides for firming.
Keep It Balanced & Simple
Combination skin can be tricky, but the key is balancing hydration and oil control without overloading your skin.
💡 Morning Routine: Gel Cleanser → Hydrating Toner → Serum → Lightweight Moisturizer → Sunscreen
💡 Night Routine: Double Cleanse → Exfoliate (2-3x a week) → Treatment → Night Moisturizer
Stick with this routine, and your skin will look clear, fresh, and glowing in no time!
What’s your biggest struggle with combination skin? Let’s chat in the comments!